Music fan Ben Riley creates his unique artwork by smashing up old records – and has sold pieces to celebrities like Pharell Williams, Denise van Outen and Olly Murs.

The 37-year-old, from Audley, breaks and grinds down vinyl into pieces and then to a fine dust, which he then uses as his paint. He has created portraits of music icons, such as David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and even the German classical composer Ludvig van Beethoven.

His work now exhibits all over the world and a typical piece sells for around £1,500. It has also been snapped up by celebrities, as well as collectors.

Read More

Ben, a former Newcastle College student, said: “I came up with this method myself. The concept is ‘creating music icons from music itself’. I'm a big music fan.

“I draw the pictures out first on canvas, then I use damaged records. I start breaking them down and manipulating them into shapes and, for the details in the face, I grind them down into a dust.

“I buy the records in bulk. I’ve experimented with using a lump hammer, but I find a good method is using a coffee grinder. I usually use between eight and 12 records to make each piece.

Some of Ben's artwork

“Some people will ask me to create Frank Sinatra out of only Frank Sinatra records, but I usually like to keep it random. Each piece takes on its own journey.

“For one piece, I did grind down diamonds to give it more of a wow factor.

“The result is a picture. I have done everyone from Beethoven to Amy Winehouse. My favourite is Jimi Hendrix. His music time was well before his time and it matches my artwork. He was so dynamic and diverse and no one had ever done what he did – although I’m not linking myself to Hendrix.

Read More

“I’ve exhibited in America and I’ve travelled all over with it. Celebrities have bought them. Olly Murs collects my work. He has bought pictures of Stevie Wonder, the Rat Pack, and David Bowie. Pharrell Williams bought a Jimi Hendrix piece.

“I’m a big fan of the Rolling Stones and I was asked to exhibit my work at their last tour. I spoke to Liam Gallagher backstage. I took along a piece I did of him and he really liked that.

“Keith Richard’s daughter wanted one of my pieces, an early portrait of Keith from when he met her mother. It was a real honour to exhibit my work at the Rolling Stones tour.

“After that, I did a commission for Denise van Outen of Keith Richards. After it was finished, she posted it on Instagram.”

Ben, a keen portrait photographer, originally came up with his concept about five years ago, after being given some unwanted records which had belonged to his grandfather.

He said: “I’ve always worked for myself, but I have always come back to art. I started professionally selling portraits.